SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[NSEWonderer]

What issues? I don’t recall any problems post overhaul bar graffiti and a bird getting stuck in the H Frame and getting a bit frazzled. A hundred thousand miles later, one of the motor axles had a failed suspension tube and the complete bogie was swapped as it was quicker than waiting for a replacement wheelset. If there were bogie issues it wouldn’t be fit to run up to Derby?

It was the only choice at the time as it was supposed to be the last C4 overhaul. As it turned out the 455s survived a bit longer and a few more C4s were done so most are being withdrawn now as the C6 overhaul is due.

The MA was repaired. It’s only problem really is it needs a C6 which as the 455s are being replaced, it won’t get.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2025 ==

Oh and someone for reasons unknown left their bicycle on the ground at a level crossing and it ran it over!

Fair enough that those have been solved but yes the C6 check that will be a question of will they spend the money to do it for nostalgia?

 

[boiledbeans2]

Fair enough that those have been solved but yes the C6 check that will be a question of will they spend the money to do it for nostalgia?

Would it be cheaper to do the C6? Or apply the BR vinyl to another train?
Perhaps they could apply NSE to another train instead. Or even better, apply the new GBR livery as I guess the 455s will still be around for some time.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Would it be cheaper to do the C6? Or apply the BR vinyl to another train?
Perhaps they could apply NSE to another train instead. Or even better, apply the new GBR livery as I guess the 455s will still be around for some time.

Until December is hardly “some time”

 

[bb21]

Is this 5868 returning from TGG?

Realtime Trains | 5O87 1005 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 05/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 5O87 1005 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 05/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5868 is off lease so will not be re-entering service with SWR.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Realtime Trains | 7Q94 0627 Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Long Marston | 06/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 7Q94 0627 departure from Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Long Marston on 06/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And 458536 has sadly left us. I assume 530 is next whenever it returns for the short ish period of time.

 

[mansonlo49]

5868 is off lease so will not be re-entering service with SWR.

Thought they'll be holding a farewell tour at some point?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Would it be cheaper to do the C6? Or apply the BR vinyl to another train?
Perhaps they could apply NSE to another train instead. Or even better, apply the new GBR livery as I guess the 455s will still be around for some time.

Neither. All available and serviceable 455s would be very much tightly used. Barely any sit around for long enough to be repainted. Unless GBR suddenly feels nostalgic and paints the very last one in NSe colours before a farewell tour.

 

[JonathanH]

Thought they'll be holding a farewell tour at some point?

A farewell tour doesn't need to be with 5868.

 

[mansonlo49]

A farewell tour doesn't need to be with 5868.

I thought it use the retro livery for it??

 

[Goldfish62]

A farewell tour doesn't need to be with 5868.

And of course they've been red for far longer than they were blue and grey!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Southern did a farewell tour with its 455s. They even reached the south coast!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is 455 868 still at Derby or has it already gone to Newport?

 

[mansonlo49]

Is 455 868 still at Derby or has it already gone to Newport?

Newport??

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Newport??

It's supposedly going for scrap; as mentioned a few posts above it's already off lease.

 

[mansonlo49]

It's supposedly going for scrap; as mentioned a few posts above it's already off lease.

But isn't it getting preserved somewhere??

 

[Peter Mugridge]

But isn't it getting preserved somewhere??

Not that I'm aware of; just because something is put into a retro livery doesn't mean it will get preserved.

 

[mansonlo49]

Not that I'm aware of; just because something is put into a retro livery doesn't mean it will get preserved.

maybe the previous ones (507,313) did get preserved thats why I got prejudge that this'll get preservation too

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I'd be surprised if anyone was interested in purchasing a SWR 455 for preservation.... Good riddance personally

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I'd be surprised if anyone was interested in purchasing a SWR 455 for preservation.... Good riddance personally

Agreed.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I'd be surprised if anyone was interested in purchasing a SWR 455 for preservation.... Good riddance personally

Agreed.

At least they (455's) were reliable workhorses and did what they were designed to do, and perhaps only recently have things slipped as the writing is now on the wall. Can't say the same for something like the class 50's when they worked up to Waterloo. Laira seemed to allocate the worst of the class to the WoE.
Am now putting my tin hat on, and going in to my bomb shelter!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

At least they (455's) were reliable workhorses and did what they were designed to do, and perhaps only recently have things slipped as the writing is now on the wall. Can't say the same for something like the class 50's when they worked up to Waterloo. Laira seemed to allocate the worst of the class to the WoE.
Am now putting my tin hat on, and going in to my bomb shelter!

I didn't like them upon introduction (lamented the EPBs...) but I appreciate a lot of work went into them to keep them going and they settled down to give very reliable service. Credit to Wimbledon, Selhurst, Slade Green and latterly, Chart Leacon and Bournemouth.

Latterly though, they are awful, scruffy and ready for the scrapyard in my opinion. I did wonder whether any would receive SWR livery but obviously, expensive overhauls/repaints are not going to happen.

Sorry, I'm just fed up of them now...

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I was involved with their introduction and by then the SUB's/EPB's had been well past their sell by date, as much as I liked the comfy (if dusty) deep cushions on both those types and the compo's before they were gradually removed for reasons we all know about. A sign of the less than pleasant times that were on the increase back then.
Was a tad surprised that 5868 was repainted latterly, as long since, SWR (I am very reliably informed) had been on a zero spend regime for anything other than very essential matters, so may be 5868's repaint was partly done on a voluntary basis, knowing that some in the industry will still have a soft spot for them - I don't know?
The repaint in to red during my time, was probably the best (quality/longevity wise) that the fleet had seen, but didn't come cheap.

No need for any apologies. Everything in life comes to the end of its usefulness in time. One just has to be pragmatic and move on perhaps!

 

[wickham]

I didn't like them upon introduction (lamented the EPBs...) but I appreciate a lot of work went into them to keep them going and they settled down to give very reliable service. Credit to Wimbledon, Selhurst, Slade Green and latterly, Chart Leacon and Bournemouth.

Latterly though, they are awful, scruffy and ready for the scrapyard in my opinion. I did wonder whether any would receive SWR livery but obviously, expensive overhauls/repaints are not going to happen.

Sorry, I'm just fed up of them now...

The 455s have indeed been reliable work horses day in day out for more years than I care to remember, but as for preservation - I am not against it, but they are far different now internally to what they were originally. It may not even be possible to return one to original condition, the original seats etc are probably not avaliable and the electrical equipment is different. OK, a 455 is a 455, but they are vastly different now to what they were when built.

 

[Goldfish62]

Latterly though, they are awful, scruffy and ready for the scrapyard in my opinion. I did wonder whether any would receive SWR livery but obviously, expensive overhauls/repaints are not going to happen.

Sorry, I'm just fed up of them now...

With the rate at which they're being displaced by 701s (another two diagrams next, ie 4 units displaced) I don't think you'll have to be fed up with them for much longer.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Not that I'm aware of; just because something is put into a retro livery doesn't mean it will get preserved.

No, 2 people are looking at preserving it. Henceforth, it hasn't left Derby yet. Nor have 313201/507001.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

They have more chance then a 319, and that's saying something.

I'd be surprised if anyone was interested in purchasing a SWR 455 for preservation.... Good riddance personally.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

No, 2 people are looking at preserving it. Henceforth, it hasn't left Derby yet. Nor have 313201/507001.

Can you enlighten us?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

No, 2 people are looking at preserving it. Henceforth, it hasn't left Derby yet. Nor have 313201/507001.

Thank you; that sounds interesting... The full four cars, I assume?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

No, 2 people are looking at preserving it. Henceforth, it hasn't left Derby yet. Nor have 313201/507001.

Can you provide a source for this please?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Aug 2025 ==

Absolutely huge amount of 450s on Cobhams, Hampton Courts, Epsoms and Chessingtons today.

 

[bluegoblin7]

I have no public source - and I'm not going to betray the confidences of those who I've had first-hand discussions with (and no, it's not me) - but there certainly is interest in 455 868, and I'd expect more news on it within the not too distant future.

As mentioned by others, it remains at Derby.